Overview

The Echo ION XL is Echo's fresh and saltwater workhorse, and Echo says it has become the go-to rod for fishing guides and professionals. A remarkably low swing weight and a forgiving action make it as comfortable stripping streamers for trout as it is dropping a crab fly in front of a tailing permit, and Echo built it with saltwater-grade components as an affordable rod for both worlds.

Every ION XL is 4-piece with a full wells cork grip, a cork fighting butt and a black double up-locking reel seat, and comes in a grey fabric-covered rod tube. The 10 wt gets a larger, flared fighting butt. We carry all nine models: 9' rods from 6 to 10 wt for streamers, bass, salmon and the salt, and 10' rods from 5 to 8 wt for nymphing, lakes and steelhead.

Which ION XL Should You Choose?

Nymphing trout rivers or casting from a float tube on a lake: ECHOIONXL5100 (10' 5 wt).

Big dries to moderate streamers on rivers, lakes and inshore water: ECHOIONXL690 (9' 6 wt).

Heavier trout nymph rigs and lake fishing: ECHOIONXL6100 (10' 6 wt).

Trout streamers, carp, bass and inshore saltwater: ECHOIONXL790 (9' 7 wt).

Steelhead nymphing on Pacific Coast and Great Lakes rivers: ECHOIONXL7100 (10' 7 wt).

Salmon, steelhead, bigger streamers, bass bugs and inshore salt: ECHOIONXL890 (9' 8 wt).

Big-water steelhead nymphing: ECHOIONXL8100 (10' 8 wt).

Midweight salmon fishing and inshore salt with bigger targets: ECHOIONXL990 (9' 9 wt).

The biggest streamers, big salmon and a flats trip: ECHOIONXL1090 (9' 10 wt).

Echo ION XL Specs

Echo ION XL Models

ECHOIONXL5100 - 10' 5 wt

The lightest ION XL. The 10' length helps you mend and manage line when nymphing a river, and keeps your back cast up when you cast sitting in a float tube.

Best for: trout nymphing on rivers, float tubes and small boats on lakes.

Line pairing: A 5 wt weight-forward floating trout line for nymphing, or a floating or intermediate stillwater line on lakes. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF5F) or the RIO Elite Gold (WF5F).

ECHOIONXL690 - 9' 6 wt

Echo's all-rounder for the 6 wt class, with the backbone to throw big dries and moderate streamers on rivers, lakes and inshore water.

Best for: big dries, moderate streamers, rivers, lakes and inshore saltwater.

Line pairing: A 6 wt weight-forward floating line, or a long-taper line when you turn over bigger flies. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF6F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Titan Long Taper (WF6F).

ECHOIONXL6100 - 10' 6 wt

The 10' 6 wt steps up to heavier trout nymph rigs and doubles as a lake rod from a float tube.

Best for: heavier nymph rigs, larger trout, lake fishing.

Line pairing: A 6 wt weight-forward floating line for nymphing, or an intermediate line on lakes. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF6F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth MPX (WF6F).

ECHOIONXL790 - 9' 7 wt

Echo calls the 9' 7 wt a guide favorite for trout streamers, carp, bass and inshore saltwater.

Best for: trout streamers, carp, bass, inshore saltwater.

Line pairing: A 7 wt weight-forward floating line built to carry streamers and bass bugs, or a sink tip for streamers. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF7F) or the SA Amplitude Textured Bass Bug (WF7F).

ECHOIONXL7100 - 10' 7 wt

Echo's most popular steelhead nymphing rod for guides, on Pacific Coast rivers and Great Lakes tributaries alike. The extra length helps with long mends and control of the drift.

Best for: steelhead nymphing, Pacific Coast and Great Lakes rivers.

Line pairing: A 7 wt floating line with a taper made for indicator nymphing and mending. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Anadro (WF7F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Titan Long Taper (WF7F).

ECHOIONXL890 - 9' 8 wt

The 9' 8 wt covers salmon, steelhead, bigger trout streamers and bass bugs, and with the series' saltwater-grade components it crosses over to inshore and flats fishing.

Best for: salmon, steelhead, big streamers, bass bugs, inshore and flats saltwater.

Line pairing: An 8 wt weight-forward floating saltwater line for the flats and inshore work. We recommend the SA Amplitude Textured Bonefish (WF8F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam (WF8F).

ECHOIONXL8100 - 10' 8 wt

Echo's choice for big-water steelhead nymphing, with the length and power to handle heavy rigs and big fish in heavy current.

Best for: big-water steelhead nymphing.

Line pairing: An 8 wt weight-forward floating line with the mass to turn over heavy nymph rigs. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF8F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Titan Long Taper (WF8F).

ECHOIONXL990 - 9' 9 wt

A midweight salmon rod that also handles inshore saltwater when the targets get bigger.

Best for: salmon, inshore saltwater with bigger fish.

Line pairing: A 9 wt weight-forward floating saltwater line. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam (WF9F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Tropical Jungle Titan (WF9F).

ECHOIONXL1090 - 9' 10 wt

The heaviest ION XL, for the biggest streamers, the biggest salmon and your next flats trip. It has a larger, flared cork fighting butt.

Best for: big streamers, large salmon, flats and inshore saltwater.

Line pairing: A 10 wt weight-forward floating saltwater line, such as a tarpon or all-round tropical taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Tarpon (WF10F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam (WF10F).

ION XL vs Indicator, Lago and Stillwater

The ION XL covers a wide range, from trout nymphing to the flats. If you mostly fish indicator rigs, the Echo Indicator is built just for line control on long drifts and sits closer to fast on Echo's action chart, while the ION XL has more power. For lakes, the Echo Lago is tuned for casting while sitting in a float tube or boat, and the Echo Stillwater is Echo's competition-level lake rod. For a rod made only for saltwater, see the Echo Boost Blue.

Echo ION XL FAQ

Can I fish the ION XL in saltwater?

Yes. Echo designed it as a fresh and saltwater series, with saltwater-grade components. The 9' 8, 9 and 10 wt models are the usual picks for inshore and flats fishing. Rinse the rod after a salt trip; Echo's warranty does not cover saltwater corrosion.

What action is the ION XL?

Medium-fast on Echo's action and power chart, with upper-mid power. Echo describes the action as forgiving.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. Each ION XL comes in a grey fabric-covered rod tube.

What is the warranty?

The rod is covered by Echo's lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects for the original owner, when bought from an authorized dealer. If it breaks in normal fishing use, Echo repairs or replaces it for a service fee that varies by model.

Should I choose a 9' or a 10' ION XL?

The 9' rods are for casting: streamers, bass bugs, salmon and saltwater. The 10' rods are for nymphing and lakes, where the extra length helps you mend, control the drift and keep a back cast up from a float tube.

Which ION XL should I choose for steelhead?

The 10' 7 wt is Echo's most popular steelhead nymphing rod for guides, and the 10' 8 wt is its pick for big water.